A total smoking ban in Clarke County could save lives

Louis Kudon

Posted: Tuesday, June 29, 2004

The logic behind a smoking ordinance is simple. It is based on the premise that smokers should not harm non-smokers through secondhand smoke. This concept does not apply to beef, caffeine or even moderate consumption of alcohol. The secondhand effects of alcohol abuse (D.U.I., etc.) are already illegal in this state.

Majority rule is great. Fully 84 percent of restaurant patrons and 78 percent of bar patrons do not smoke. Let the majority rule! Although it is true just 47 percent of bar patrons are bothered by smoke, only 4 percent said they like it. The rest expressed no opinion one way or the other.

The free market concept is not working for non-smoking patrons of bars. Even though 87 percent of bar patrons said they would patronize a smoke-free bar there are no bars downtown that are smoke-free. In the past 30 years, there has only been one smoke-free bar downtown. That bar closed after it converted to a smoking bar. In any event, one smoke-free bar in 30 years does not constitute a free market.

Profits and revenues should never take priority over people's health and lives. We can help prevent lung cancer and other diseases in Athens with a 100 percent smoke-free ordinance.